James Hetfield
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James Hetfield is an American guitarist and singer, best known as the frontman of the heavy metal band Metallica. He matters because he is a prominent figure in rock and metal music who has helped shape the genre through his songwriting and performances.
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Person · Open Library
- Born
- 1963-08-03
- Works
- 8
Top works
- Art of James Hetfield
- Messengers
- The complete lyrics
- Metallica : the Black Album in Black and White
- Reclaimed Rust
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Film & TV
Acting · Downey, California, USA
James Alan Hetfield is an American musician and songwriter best known for being the co-founder, lead vocalist/rhythm guitarist and main songwriter for the American heavy metal band Metallica. Hetfield is mainly known for his intricate rhythm playing, but occasionally performs lead guitar duties and solos, both live and in the studio. Hetfield co-founded Metallica in October 1981 after answering…
Known for
- Metallica Saved My Life — Self2025
- Metallica: Studio Shit + U.K. Shenanigans — Self2025
- Metallica: Polar Beach Party — Self2025
- Metallica: Poor Swedish Me '96 — Self2025
- Metallica: On the Air (Music Videos + TV Appearances) — Self2025
- Back to the Beginning: Ozzy's Final Bow — Self2025
Article
James Alan Hetfield (born August 3, 1963) is an American musician. He is the lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist, co-founder, and a primary songwriter of heavy metal band Metallica. He is mainly known for his raspy voice and intricate rhythm playing, but occasionally performs lead guitar duties and solos both live and in studio. Hetfield co-founded Metallica in October 1981 after answering an advertisement by drummer Lars Ulrich in the Los Angeles newspaper The Recycler. Metallica has won 10 Grammy Awards and released 11 studio albums, three live albums, four extended plays, and 24 singles. Hetfield is often regarded as one of the greatest rhythm guitar players of all time.
In 2009, Hetfield was ranked at No. 8 in Joel McIver's book The 100 Greatest Metal Guitarists and No. 24 by Hit Parader on their list of the 100 Greatest Metal Vocalists of All Time. In Guitar World's poll, Hetfield was placed as the 19th greatest guitarist of all time, as well as being placed second (along with Metallica lead guitarist Kirk Hammett) in The 100 Greatest Metal Guitarists poll of the same magazine. Rolling Stone placed him along with bandmate Kirk Hammett as the 23rd greatest guitarist of all time.
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1963 births20th-century American guitarists20th-century American male musicians20th-century American male singers20th-century American singers21st-century American guitarists21st-century American male musicians21st-century American male singers21st-century American singersAmerican baritonesAmerican heavy metal guitaristsAmerican heavy metal singers